As a Harvard-educated dentist and former member of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine admissions committee, I have a deep, first-hand understanding of what it takes to be selected by the world’s most competitive dental school. I have evaluated tens of applications and understand not only the academic standards, but also the less visible qualities - intellectual curiosity, leadership, maturity, and purpose - that truly distinguish successful candidates. As an international applicant myself, I personally navigated the unique challenges of the global admissions process, from credential evaluation to positioning one’s experiences within a U.S. academic framework. I have since guided other international and domestic applicants through this same rigorous pathway, helping them present compelling, authentic applications that resonate with elite admissions committees. My insight comes from both sides of the table: as an applicant who succeeded and as an evaluator entrusted with selecting the next generation of dental leaders.